• Establish and execute $18M sales revenue merchandising strategy for Apparel • Influence sourcing, manufacturing, and design teams on product design and material development needs in alignment to the merchandise strategy• Evaluate key sales data and previous assortments to set actionable opportunities that increase profitability, exceed sales goals and margin targets• Direct and manage the product lifecycle process, assortment planning, pricing architecture, product development and negotiations for Apparel categories from trend research, product briefing, product design collaboration, sample evaluation to product launch • Build high performing teams and assign talent to appropriate project scopes• Successfully foster vendor relationships and strong vendor management through managing vendor score card, defining domestic sourcing capabilities and implementing protocols, as well as tradeshow attendance• Expert in establishing and communicating project workflows and proactively managing to resolve challenges, as well as work collaboratively at all levels, being effective and influential until project completion

• Assisted with the development of the $70M Girl’s Footwear Category across 2,800 stores and e-commerce under the direction of the Merchandise Manager • Developed merchandising strategies for the Girl’s Footwear Category including new product implementation and exit strategies • Maintained quarterly SWOT to analyze market trends and pricing, recommending business shifts as new weaknesses, opportunities and threats were introduced• Managed merchandising systems and open to buy process, monitoring receipt timing, inventory levels, margin forecasting, and financial plan• Partnered with merchandise planning to develop department financial plans, promotional pricing, and markdown strategies • Negotiated product cost and order commitments with vendors leading to cost savings and timeline improvements